Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - February 9, 1986
By Helen Fagg
Vigo County Historical Society

"Dummy" doll popular in radio days of ‘30s

A recent gift to the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley is a Charlie McCarthy doll made by the Effanbee Doll Co. in the ‘30s.

The production of this doll followed the appearance of Edgar Bergen and his "dummy," Charlie McCarthy, on radio.

They were guests on the Rudy Vallee Show on December 17, 1936, and became an instant success. They were so popular that they were listed in the top 10 radio entertainers for more than 10 years.

Charlie, in his tuxedo, ascot tie and sporting a monocle, was so feisty and impish with his quick retorts to Edgar that he was loved by listeners everywhere.

The Effanbee Co., aware of the popularity of personality dolls, produced the Charlie look-alike in several sizes. The doll had a composition head and arms with a cloth body stuffed with cotton or kapok.

The head was designed so that the lower part of the mouth and chin moved as if talking when it was controlled with a string and finger ring on the back of the doll. Because of this feature, children were able to imitate the performances of the ventriloquist.

Edgar Bergen, Charlie’s creator, owner and voice, began his acting while still in grade school.

He created his first Charlie from wood and cloth while still in high school and performed in vaudeville and nightclubs in the Chicago area.

He enrolled in Northwestern University on a pre-med course and paid his tuition by performing with his dummy. Edgar left college in 1926 for the entertainment world where he remained until his death in 1978.

Charlie and Edgar had a long and successful career as start of radio, stage, television and motion pictures and often entertained U.S. troops abroad. Another dummy, Mortimer Snerd, was added to the show, but he never enjoyed the popularity of Charlie.

Charlie McCarthy dolls are frequently found at sales and doll auctions, but they are usually worn from usage and minus most of the clothing. In addition to the tuxedo costume, Charlie was also often dressed in a dark blazer and white pants, shirt and shoes.

No matter what condition Charlie is in, it is a doll worth saving. The Museum’s doll was a gift from Beverly R. Johnson in November 1985, and it may be seen in the doll case on the first floor.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday though Friday.